Campaign rejects claims after Meekail links Civil Court filing to 'rival team'

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s campaign team has denied filing the Civil Court case challenging the timeline for the MDP’s upcoming chairperson election.

The MDP is scheduled to elect a chairperson on June 12, with Nasheed and Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem both campaigning for the post.

However, attorney‑at‑law Abdulla Shaairu filed a case in the Civil Court alleging that the election timeline was incorrect and seeking to annul both the announcement and the schedule. At a press conference on Monday, Meekail implied the case had been filed by Nasheed’s team, describing it as an action taken by the “rival team” and saying it went against the founding principles of the MDP.

Nasheed’s campaign spokesperson Abdullah Waheed said the rumours were entirely false.

“Such false news will undermine confidence in the party’s internal elections. And it will overshadow the internal interests of the party. The campaign wishes to ensure that the party’s ordinary members have the opportunity to vote as soon as possible. Elections will give credibility, certainty and validity to party positions and decisions,” he said.

Nasheed’s team said the case was filed solely by lawyer Abdulla Shaairu in his personal capacity.

The statement added that the campaign will continue to disclose its activities, decisions and actions on a regular basis.

There have been differences of opinion within the party regarding the chairperson election. Interim Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) on Friday night sent a message to the MDP National Assembly WhatsApp group proposing that the election be postponed, saying holding it now would conflict with the party’s internal interests and hinder its efforts to hold the government accountable.

Meekail has said he opposes postponing the election. Nasheed has said he has no objection to taking over as interim chairperson if the MDP National Assembly decides to appoint him.